No Punches Pulled with Manny Martinez

[Robert Lotti]

Welcome to another edition of the No Punches Pulled interview series. This time around, it's former NYWC competitor Manny Martinez.

RL: Were you a wrestling fan growing up?
MM: Of course I was! I remember watching IRS vs Shawn Michaels with my father sitting on the couch years ago in Rockville Centre, NY. And my mother wasn't too fond of me watching it because of all the violence. But who doesn't love violence?

RL: When did you decide you were going to be a wrestler?
MM: I knew I wanted to wrestle around 12 years old when I was watching both WCW & WWF back then with my father. He and my brother were my main supporters. I remember the days doing Swanton bombs, back body drops, and powerbombs on the couch and bed. I think my mom went through 2 bed frames an 2 couches back then. Once a new bed/bed frame came in or new couch..Wonder who were the 2 guys that were going to break those in?

RL: How did you discover the NYWC academy?
MM: My brother was doing it for a while because he'd always work on wrestling hols on me and sometimes at the worst times like when I'm doing homework or watching TV. He would just grab me and do a move, whether at home or school. We had those wrestling pilows of Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage, do it on them.

RL: What were your initial impressions of Mikey Whipwreck?
MM: I was nervous being around him at first because he was the first guy off TV I met in person. He's definitely a person you don't want to disappoint. I didn't have the privelige to train with him as often as my brother but when I did, I knew he was one of the best. It always blew my mind how one person knows so much about wrestling. Always wanted to pick his brain. But was too afraid to. But he does tell funny stories. So if you're ever down, he would cheer you up real fast!

RL: How tough was training?
MM: If someone ever said training was easy, they're the biggest liars of this world. It was difficult to say the least, from the first bumps your body takes to countless squats, sit ups and push-ups you have to do. I was the first person at NYWC to be punished and do one thousand squats because I was talking to Kieran during cardio. Yeah, my legs were numb when I completed it like 30-35 minutes later and couldn't walk comfortably for a week. But in all honesty, I was kind of addicted to squats after that an knew if I could do 1000 squats, I could anything!

[Robert Lotti]

RL: What are your memories of teaming with Benny?
MM: One of the biggest dreams come true. Unfortunately back then, I had a lot of obligations and wasn't able to put my mind into wrestling 100%. We would fight and argue out now wrestling related but when it came to wrestling, it was somewhere iwanted him to help me get better and to his level. I never wanted to disappoint him but secretly want to be better than him no matter the odds. But who said teaming with my brther was only a memory?

RL: What are your memories of Billy & Danny Angus?
MM:Te first team of brothers who I saw wrestle at NYWC. They were great wrestlers in my opinion. Always wanted the Martinez Bros vs Angus Bros angle btut that of course never happened.

RL: What are your memories of the 4 way ladder match at Straps & Ladders?
MM: Easily one of the top 3 favorite matches. And Syther almost killing me doing an electric chair at the turnbuckle but thanks to Crusher Doogan I survived. I remember I had to knock off Kieran off the ladder by dropkicking him, but while on the top rope I knew it wasn't going to look good so I ndropkicked the ladder instead and hope for the best. First "Holy shit" chant I got. Felt like a badass.

RL: How did you injure your knee in 2009?
MM: Doing an elbow drop to Kieran(Funny how he is being mentioned a lot but he and Syther were my closest wrestling friends). Anyway, yes so random, while doing an elbow drop I got up and felt the knee tighten. Then got an MRI and was told it was a slight tear in my PCL, didn't need surgery thankfully but needed to rest for at least 3 months. 2 practices later my knee was all healed up, I sprained my ankle and was out another 3 months. Never had a summer that year.

[Robert Lotti]

RL: What are your memories of Dickie Rodz?
MM: Such a happy person to be around at least around me. Was always cracking jokes to me, but didn't wrestle him much. Wished I wrestled him more often.

RL: What are your memories of Celtic Saints?
MM: Great tag team. Mike was a person who started wrestling a bit after me and excelled quite fast and is a great talker on the mic. I remember Kieran could of been a surfer but glad he was an Irish dude. Definitely a fun tag team to wrestle that's for sure.

RL: What are your memories of Stockade?
MM: I don't know if he wants me to admit this but Stockade is one of the nicest and honest guys I've ever been around. He gave me the idea of the dancer gimmick and helped me with my promos. He was there to give me honest opinions of ideas I had and wanted me to get better. He was one of the guys who trained me at NYWC and I had the most fun while wrestling him. Again, blows my mind how much he knows. He's also a great in-ring trainer.

RL: What are your memories of Syther?
MM: He is the funniest in NYWC and him & Kieran are partners in crime in long car rides. I remember one time driving from Pennsylvania that Syther made a cop laugh while we were pulled over. Sucks I never had a match with him. But my favorite Syther match was against Kieran when they were doing a match on their knees.

[Robert Lotti]

RL: What are your memories of "Genocide Junkie" Daemon Crowley?
MM: I didn't talk or associate with Crowley much but he was a nice guy when I spoke to him. Was very humble.

RL: What are your memories of Bruno Marciano?
MM: Great mat wrestler. Always mat wrestled my brother and kicked his ass when he was a Dick to me. Always hoped he would go to Japan, he could definitely hang. One of the few who helped me with the fundamentals when I started. Fun convos about ROH, he introduced me to a new world of wrestling. I thank him for that.

RL: What are your memories of Spyder?
MM: A second older brother. Helped me with lucha wrestling. Makes great tights and gets better year by year. Loved being in a faction with him and is a good enforcer when I need one. I never got to wrestle him on a show but in training it was a blast. Miss those days. Always amazed me how he can do a springboard 450.

RL: What are your memories of Victor Cruz who later became Ultimo Maya?
MM: A man of many gimmicks and takes it to a whole new level. Definitely can reinvent himself easily. I haven't seen hm wrestle under Maya, but he has nice new gear when looking at his pics.

[Robert Lotti]

RL: What are your memories of Dirty Rednex?
MM: Cool heels who are so believable, especially when doing promos. I did a tag in my second or third student show. Was a good match and appreciate they worked me.

RL: What are your memories of Eddie Guapo?
MM: Very hilarious when paired with Dead Presidents when we are all in a diner or car ride. The stories they tell will make you laugh so hard your ribs will hurt. I would say more but rather keep to myself.

RL: What are your memories of DJ Phat Pat?
MM: Crazy how he lost a lot of weight. Should be on a commercial and be a millionaire because of it. Only worked him when he was a beginner but if given the opportunity. I'll wrestle him again.
.

[Robert Lotti]

RL: What are your memories of Pat Buck?
MM: He helped me a lot while he was training students at NYWC. He is very knowledgeable and I honestly just got it wile he was teaching. From working on the fly, life advice, to helpinjg me get better as a leader in the ring. It bothered me a lot that he parted way as an NYWC trainer. I always asked him to watch my match and he would. He genuinely cares about his students and it erks me when I hear stories about what his bad students do at PWS on his podast because they just don't know who they have as a trainer. If I had the chance/opportunity to train with Buck again, I definitely would.

RL: What are your memories of Quiet Storm?
MM: His forearms are like bricks to your face. I remember talking to him here and there about being in Japan and how the experience of wrestling there is. Has some cool stories about wrestling there that's worth a listen.

RL: What are your memories of All Money Is Legal?
MM: Fun being in a faction with them and didn't work with them much but when we did, it was fun. Reminded me of my brother and I a bit. Classic gimmick they have.

[Robert Lotti]

RL: What are your memories of Big Time Rush?
MM: Sucks there is a chlidren's show out there titled Big Time Rush. But they were a good mix which at first I thought wouldn't work from the outside looking in, but the crowd loved them. Wish I worked them more often.

RL: What are your memories of Francis Kipland Stevens?
MM: He started training a week or 2 before I did. Since we were the "skinny kids" back then, I know he can relate to me about being the underdogs. However he excelled and became a good talker for his gimmick. He is really good at what he does. Felt like it was against the world at one time, he can definitely go places regardless of his size.

RL: What are your memories of Braydon Knight?
MM: I enjoyed wrestling Braydon. He can definitely be somebody someday. I always loved taking his belly to belly suplexes.

RL: What are your memories of JC Lennox?
MM: I remember having a match with him, and he's supposed to go on one knee and we were going to do a simple spot in the middle ring. I can't remember how many dropkicks to the knee I did to him. I should have called an audible in the ring at the time but we live and learn. I wish I could have done more to get him over.

RL: What are your memories of Marty Flames?
MM: I told him one time he had a wash womans ass. But of course I did too at one point. Cool guy backstage.

RL: What are your memories of Tony Nese?
MM: I remember watching him for the first time at a student show. He is very good at what he does. Trained with him for a while at NYWC, fun to wrestle with. I enjoyed watching him on TNA, sad they didn't use him. I got to get him a towlie T-shirt for his birthday one day.

RL: What are your memories of Papadon?
MM: Always gave me advice on psychology. Every time I wanted to work, he was right there willing to work with me. No matter waht others say about him, I respect him for what he does and I do enjoy wrestling him.

RL: What are your memories of your match with Big O?
MM: One of my favorite squash matches I've ever had. I remember being told that he requested me to be his first match. I was shocked that he wanted me when I wasn't one of the 3 potential participants. Sucks nothing happened after that match though. Even though I wish we didn't do a squash it was fun while it lasted. Was still learning my dance routine at that time so go easy on me during that year. He's a good listener and has gotten a lot better now.

RL: Why did you leave wrestling in 2012?
MM: I wasn't into it anymore, doing the same role over and over. I never had an opportunity to do any matches that were longer than 4-5 minutes. So I needed time off along with some personal issues I had to take care of.

RL: What led to you returning to wrestling?
MM: New start, new opportunites, new promotion. Thanks to my brother & Joel Maximo.

RL: What are your memories of the 6 way match in your FSW debut?
MM: Was a fun first match back. I like them but tags and singles matches are more fun to do.

Word Association
RL: Mikey Whipwreck
MM: Honest. Detail oriented trainer, funny stories you can't buy on DVD.

RL: Curse
MM: Marine Respect

RL: Shane
MM: Boss

RL: Crusher Doogan
MM: Great In-Ring Trainer, Great Manager. I know he has badass outdoor strongman workouts. I'd love to do that with him one day.

RL: Rex Lawless
MM: Titties Chest Implants Awesome Dude

RL: Forge
MM: Ref

RL: Apollyon
MM: Dominant Talented

RL: Brian Vitko
MM: Great talker. Reminds me of Buff Bagwell.

RL: Blake Morris
MM: HHH

RL: Mike Mondo
MM: Good trainer. Knowledgeable. Unorthodx heel.

RL: What are your thoughts on people who fake post on message boards?
MM: Will always happen on all forums, just like forum spam bots but worse.

RL: What are your thoughts on the NYWC message board?
MM: Cool for fans to get involved and voice their opinion.

RL: Do you think you'll ever return to NYWC?
MM: Only time will tell. Never know what will happen.

RL: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
MM: I would be more established as a tag team with my brother and have tag belts with at least one company. I would love to do a tryout as tag with my brother in any major promotion. And just see where it all goes. I like to be optimistic.

RL: Is there anything you'd like to say to the fans?
MM: Thank you all for supporting me for the last 6 years. I truly appreciate it. Without any of you, none of this would exist and you guys are one of the reasons of why I came back.